Air New Zealand Boeing 737-33A ZK-NGR, which has been under maintenance at Christchurch since 14th November, undertook a Christchurch – Christchurch test flight as NZ6500 this morning then returned to service as NZ348 Christchurch – Wellington.

Air New Zealand A320 ZK-OJS operating NZ411 Auckland – Wellington returned to Auckland this morning having failed to land at Wellington due to weather. The flight was subsequently cancelled. The aircraft later positioned Auckland – Wellington as NZ6605 and returned to service as NZ428 Wellington – Auckland.

Air New Zealand today announced that it will launch Boeing 787-9 services in October 2014. The aircraft will be configured in an 18J/21W/263Y configuration with the existing Business Premier product in a 1-1-1 configuration, a new Premium Economy recliner in a 2-3-2 configuration – significantly marking a move away from the B777-300ER Spaceseats, and 263 17.2 wide Economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. The Economy cabin will include 14 rows of Skycouches. IFE will be provided by the Panasonic eX3 system, with 9″ screens in Economy and 11″ screens in Premium Economy and Business.

The type will be launched on the Auckland – Perth route, followed by Auckland – Tokyo Narita and Auckland – Shanghai.

Air New Zealand Boeing 747-475 ZK-SUH operated the final Christchurch – Christchurch training flight of the week as NZ6088 for All Nippon Airways this morning. The aircraft then positioned Christchurch – Auckland as NZ6975 and returned to service as NZ8 Auckland – San Francisco.